A/N from Bethany
I feel as if this fic is – if not a child, then a favourite godchild or niece. This fanfiction has been a very long adventure, probably more so for Josie than for me, seeing as she actually did all the work. My role in this has been co-conspirator re: plot, aggressive beta, lender and owner of fanfiction account, and emotional support when plot, character and prose got a bit sticky. And I haven't been the most...genial, shall we say, as a beta. There have chapters that have been edited so thoroughly they're probably more bold print and parenthesis than actual writing – but hey, that all makes for the better story, right? But this baby isn't mine, its Josie's. And whilst it's true that we did find the inspiration last summer when we sat in my living room for three days, over the long 20 months since then it has bubbled into a bit of monster, and I mean that in the best possible way. You know, it's funny, because I can go back now and read it all and think of how little editing I had to do towards the end and see just how far Josie has come as a writer, and it's really quite fantastic. It just goes to show how fanfiction can count as literature, because any piece of writing that changes and develops and becomes filled with so much life (oh, sorry about the pun...oops) cannot be anything but. So I guess I'd like to thank you all for reading, for appreciating this writing, for appreciating Josie...and I dunno man, for not giving me shit about name or something. Y'all are champs.
A/N from Josie
I don't even know where to begin this final author's note. I guess first of all I want to thank you, the reader, for being so amazingly tender with me and for never saying anything but good things about this fanfiction. Thank you for reading this whole mess of my dumped thoughts, even when it didn't really make all too much sense sometimes. You all mean so much to me, and even though I don't know your faces or your names, I have an infinite affection for you all. I want to thank Bethany, more than anyone else, for being the most amazing friend. Thank you for letting me use your account and thank you for telling me where my writing wasn't on par with what we were aiming for. Thank you for not holding back, and helping me grow into the writer I am today.
More than anything, I feel this fiction has helped shape not only my writing but also my person. I feel I have learnt a lot about myself and about other people through writing My Boys. I feel I have opened my own eyes to so many things, but I can't take all the credit, as Bethany (and in a way, Phoebe) have shown me so many perceptions which I hadn't even considered. It's been a journey which I'm glad to have shared with such great people, and I am so, so grateful for the result and feedback I have gotten. I am truly in awe of everything that has come from a small spark of inspiration that came so long ago now.
A note about the topics of depression and suicide: I want it known that I don't encourage these things at all – if anything I want to encourage you all, if you are experiencing similar things, to reach out for help. Let it also be known that I know this isn't everyone's experience with depression, it's just one take on something which effects too many. If you ever need to talk to someone, and you don't feel like you can go to someone who you know personally, please feel free to leave us a message through PM, as both Bethany and I are happy to listen and give as much help as we can.
I guess that's all I can say, without dragging on more than I already have. And I guess this is bye, for now anyway, unless you guys want a stand aside chapter from Dan's P.O.V, taking place after the events of My Boys. Anyway, let me know.
Goodbye friends, and thank you so, so much.